Blood concentration of heavy metals among environmentally exposed residents of Stara Zagora municipality (Bulgaria)

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to reveal whether people living in the villages Zmeyovo and Borilovo (where the highest rates of excessive and borderline heavy metal concentrations in plants had previously been registered) are at higher risk of combined exposure to lead, cadmium and nickel. METHODS: Blood levels of these heavy metals were studied in groups of 17 nonsmokers (9 females and 8 males) from each of the studied villages, and in a control group from a remote mountain village by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean blood levels of lead (56.48 and 19.93 μg/dL) and cadmium (3.36 and 0.95 μg/L) for Zmeyovo and Borilovo respectively were significantly higher than those in the control group. Mean nickel blood concentration was higher than controls for Zmeyovo only (2.17 μg/dL). Statistically significant correlations among blood levels of lead, cadmium and nickel were found, which suggested combined exposure. The mean concentrations of all the heavy metals studied were relatively higher than available data for the general population in Europe. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed an increased exposure to heavy metals among residents of the region. Implementation of screening programs, especially for children and young adults, is therefore advised.

A review of important heavy metals toxicity with special emphasis on nephrotoxicity and its management in cattle

“…Heavy metals are toxicants for edible offal and meat ( 37 , 38 ). They pose a risk to animal health since they can result in conditions that affect kidney function as well as the cardiovascular and nervous systems and damage different organs such as the reproductive system, nervous system, the respiratory system, the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, and the endocrine system ( 39 , 40 ).…”